“And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.” Mark 11:18
I was just 15 years old when I experienced one of the saddest days of my life. I was losing my best friend and that is a big deal for a 15-year-old girl. Her family was moving away. Not just moving for a better opportunity but moving because immoral men in our small town did not like her father’s stand for Christ. They had voted him out of our church and in my mind were running him out of town.
Mr. Barry Owens had been my pastor for 7 years. Kim had been my best friend for almost as long. This was indeed a very sad day for me. Because of their willingness to lose their life for Christ’s sake and the gospel’s, God used this family in my life. Their faithful example has been an inspiration to me through the years.
This was not the first time the scribes, Pharisees and chief priests had tried to destroy Jesus. He was “despised and rejected of men.” If we follow in His footsteps we will be despised and rejected as well.
“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.”
1 John 3:13
The very day the Owens family moved out of their home, a new pastor and his family moved in. I stood behind a tree sobbing, wanting nothing to do with the new pastor, his wife or the family.
But God had other plans.
I look now at the impact from that season of loss and grief in my life as a 15-year-old girl. God was moving and directing. He is always good and His ways are beyond my human comprehension.
What I do know is that the direction of my life was changed that day in more ways than I can even begin to share. And I believe the events of that day are still affecting my life and the lives of my children and grandchildren to this very day.
No matter what the loss may be, God has a purpose. Through it all God has a good plan and a future for you.
Theme Verse:
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.” Mark 8:35
“Lose” from the Greek word “Apollymi” means “to destroy fully.” It is translated “destroy” in Mark 8:35, our verse for today.
“And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.” Mark 11:18